Kyle Tucker is heading to Los Angeles after agreeing to a four-year deal with the Dodgers, and the numbers are eye-popping - $60 million per year. That’s a massive commitment, and a clear signal that the Dodgers aren’t just reloading, they’re going all-in. With Tucker off the board, the ripple effect is already being felt across the league - especially in Toronto.
The Blue Jays were very much in the Tucker sweepstakes, and missing out on him leaves a noticeable gap in their offseason plans. But what’s more telling is how this impacts Bo Bichette’s future.
Despite being one of the most dynamic young infielders in the game, Bichette hasn’t been front and center in Toronto’s offseason strategy. That’s raised eyebrows, especially given how aggressive the Jays have been in making other moves.
Toronto’s front office clearly has its eyes on a World Series run, but the way they’ve operated suggests they’re ready to move forward without Bichette. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the expectation all along has been that Bichette won’t re-sign with the Blue Jays - and that remains unchanged even after the Tucker deal fell through for Toronto.
“I don’t expect them to sign Bo Bichette. I have not expected it the entire offseason,” Rosenthal said. “They have money that they would have devoted to Kyle Tucker and they could re-direct to Bichette, but I still believe rather strongly that Bichette’s gonna end up with the Philadelphia Phillies.”
That’s a strong statement, and it speaks volumes about how both sides are viewing the situation. Even with the financial flexibility created by missing out on Tucker, the Jays don’t appear eager to pivot toward Bichette.
It’s not that he isn’t worthy - he’s young, talented, and proven. He’s the kind of player who can command a serious deal from a big-market team.
But the writing’s been on the wall for a while now: Toronto and Bichette may be heading in different directions.
Cody Bellinger is reportedly on Toronto’s radar as a possible alternative, but that doesn’t change the fact that Bichette never seemed to be a priority for them this winter. And that can be tough for a player - being treated like a fallback option, even when your resume says otherwise.
As for Bichette, the Phillies are emerging as the most logical landing spot. They’ve got the financial firepower, the competitive window, and a need that Bichette could fill perfectly.
The Dodgers, despite their deep pockets, are likely out of the picture after locking up Tucker. And while anything can happen in free agency, all signs are pointing toward Philadelphia as the most realistic - and perhaps only - fit for Bichette at this stage.
In the end, this is a story about more than just one player signing a big deal. It’s about how one major move reshapes the market, shifts priorities, and potentially closes the book on a star’s chapter with his original team.
The Blue Jays are moving forward. Bo Bichette likely is too.